Topic: Military Affairs

Much of the "work plan" put forth by both House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz has either been accomplished or is on track. But two big-ticket items favored by Weatherford - expansion of vouchers and a move to push most new state workers into a defined contribution pension system - have hit turbulence in the Senate as session enters its final two weeks.

Senate President Don Gaetz says lawmakers are on track to get to work on a five-point work plan developed by the House Speaker and Senate President. Gaetz expects the Senate to pass bills dealing with sexual predators and assisted living facilities on the first day of the 2014 legislative session.

The governor said he had been assured that the federal shutdown won't hamper state preparations for the tropical storm that's expected to bring up to 10 inches of rain in some areas of the Panhandle. ... Related Research: Oct. 4, 2013 Press release, "Families Reminded to Get Ready for Tropical Storm Karen"

The State Board of Education meets this week to consider, among other things, Education Commissioner Tony Bennett's plan to ease up on school grading as Common Core standards are implemented. There will also be revenue estimating conferences to consider the state's income from gaming, tobacco taxes and school trust funds, and the state of the Florida Economy. And there will be a teleconference to discuss finding sponsors for seven state trails.

Scott and legislative leaders are calling on Congress and the Department of Defense to prevent furloughs to about 1,000 Florida National Guard troops during hurricane season. Senate President Don Gaetz, however, downplayed suggestions of a special session to address the cuts. ... Related Research: Gov. Scott letter to Sens. Rubio & Nelson: Cuts to National Guard in Hurricane Season Deserve Immediate Action, and Press release and letters from Speaker Weatherford & President Gaetz.

As Adjutant Gen. Emmett Titshaw tells Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet about the effects of the federal budget cutbacks, they express concern about federal help should there be a want the Guard ready for hurricane season

As Florida's military bases brace for federal budget cuts, lawmakers fear the impact on the state economy. An economic expert says Northwest Florida needs to diversify its economy to soften such blows in the future.

The drama over the deep federal cuts set to hit Friday is already having an impact on state budget talks. ... Related Research: White House fact sheet "Impact of March 1st Cuts on Middle Class Families, Jobs and Economic Security: Florida."

Legislators are poised to take up several thorny law-and-order issues during this year's session. While a bill to end capital punishment has already been rejected, the House panel that killed it will now study how to speed up the process. Other issues set for decisions will be what to do about "stand your ground" and whether to ban texting while driving.

Florida's 20 military installations provide a $60-billion annual economic impact and contribute 686,000 jobs to Florida's economy. The Florida Defense Support Task Force is suggesting that agencies develop plans to improve roads to military installations and prevent nearby development that may interfere with military operations.

The Florida Defense Support Task Force met Oct. 24 in Fort Walton Beach behind closed doors as provided by state law to discuss exempt records dealing with strategies related to the federal base closure process and the vulnerabilities and weakness of Florida military installations. Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll read the letter from Miller during a meeting Wednesday. ... Related Research: U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller's letter to Gov. Rick Scott.

This week we learned that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is considering putting state lands under a central managing agency, that Gov. Rick Scott's new education agenda would lift enrollment caps on charter schools, that not all Gulf Coast counties like the Gulf Consortium idea and that even though it's a success, there's no permanent funding source for the war on pill mills.

Florida law requires cities and counties surrounding military bases to submit by Saturday policies addressing the compatibility of surrounding land uses. State planners downplay the fact that many won't meet the deadline. The 20 military installations in Florida have an annual economic impact of $70 billion, according to state officials. Avoiding encroachment helps communities avoid having bases closed by the federal government.

The lieutenant governor recently was criticized by Sen. Don Gaetz, who sponsored the bill to create and fund the task force, for what he contended were errors in a report she filed last month on the issue.